I am a wanderer. I would say that I am a seeker, but sometimes I have no idea what I might be seeking, so I will stick with wanderer. This blog is more a public journal than anything. I don't claim to have life figured out. I simply stumble from mystery to mystery, and share my reflections along the way. Sometimes I feel burdened, and trudge. Sometimes? Well sometimes grace breaks through, and its time to dance.

Welcome

Primitive religion is not believed, it is danced!

Arthur Darby Nock

Earth's crammed with heaven,And every common bush afire with God;And only he who sees takes off his shoes;The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries.

Elizabeth Browning

Wednesday, November 30, 2016

We are not as near each other as we would like to imagine.
Words create bridges between us. Without them we would be lost islands.
Affection, recognition and understanding travel across these fragile bridges
and enable us to discover each other and awaken friendship and intimacy. Words
are never just words. The range and depth of a person's soul is inevitably
revealed in the quality of the words used. When chosen with reverence and care,
words not only describe what they say but also suggest what can never be said.

John
O'Donohue,Excerpt from BEAUTY

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It times of stress

whether that stress be societal (an election)

or personal (a loss, or other trials)

we are either drawn radically together

or we are driven apart

which one it is has, often, to do with our words

words are bridges

they are the fragile link (along with actions) between us

and over these bridges can pass many things

anger, hate, frustration, fear

love, acceptance, comfort

and yes, love

sometimes the waters between us are

roiled by many powerful things which threaten

to destroy the tenuous link we have forged

as hate and fear and distrust roar

as people (and webpages) with agendas that are often hidden
and horrible

seek, literally to sow discord and anger

our connection to each other is threatened

when there is pain and sorrow

when there is loss an suffering

and bad thing happens

our connection to each other is threatened

Sometimes the bridges simple collapse, and all that is left
between us is the churning rage

Further Reading

Creative Use of Diversity by Stephen Kliewer. A look at diversity in the church. Thoughts about the kinds of diversity in local congregations and its impact. Also thoughts about how to deal with diversity to maximize the positives and minimize the negatives . Published by the Alban Institute 1985

Healthcare and Spirituality by Stephen Kliewer and John Saultz. A look at spirituality and its place in the healing process. Originally designed as a primer for healthcare providers, it has also proved useful to pastors and laypeople. Published by Radcliffe Medical Press 2006.

Both can be found on Amazon.com

Another version of this blog, with photography from the author can be found on FaceBook

Look for "Dancing Faith"

Another great blog can be found at http://thefunstons.com/I encourage you to check it out!